This week’s collection of industry trends is marked by rising demand for apartments, how renters are finding multifamily spaces and how rethinking the suburbs could be part of the solution to housing affordability. First, CityLab suggests that replacing single family homes with small apartment buildings can be a natural way to start improving housing stock and density. Then, Trepp reveals how the lending market is responding to growing levels of demand. Arbor’s Chatter blog uncovers the most popular search modes for finding new apartments. Next, Urban Institute notes that due to factors like the difficulty of obtaining a mortgage, lack of entry-level inventory and costs of building a home, homeownership is no longer a realistic goal for everyone. Finally, National Real Estate Investor examines how increasing home prices are impacting would-be first-time buyers — many are turning to renting as a more affordable option.

“America’s real housing problem—and a big part of the solution to it—lie in closer-in single-family-home neighborhoods that were built up during the great suburban boom of the last century, and that have seen little or no new housing construction since they were initially developed.”

“Multifamily demand has risen to its highest level in more than 25 years (which roughly equates to the duration of one generation) thanks to demographic trends, population growth, and changing consumer preferences.”